The presence of adversity, especially early on, can significantly affect the human brain and development. Since the late 1990s, we’ve learned about ACEs, or adverse childhood experiences, and the traces they leave behind. ACEs may be defined as potentially traumatic events that occur between the ages of 0–17, including any…

Newborns don’t enter into the world with a clean slate, for their emotional history begins even before they are conceived. For example, all the eggs a woman will carry form in her ovaries while she is a fetus in her mother’s womb. In other words, when your mother was in…

Coping with COVID 19 In coping with COVID 19, may we remember the gifts of the budding flowers and trees each Spring, as they echo new life and resilience: Since the beginning of time, the human race has experienced countless forms of calamity and affliction; from natural disasters and economic depression to terrorist bombings…

In response to age-old question, “where is God in the midst of suffering?” I wrote an article on divine love and human suffering, based on C.S Lewis’ book, The Problem of Pain. …

My husband and I bought our first house in our early 20’s. Looking back, we had no idea what we were really getting ourselves into at the time, but we enjoyed the idea of having something of our own. It was special, and freeing to do what we wanted, without…

“I’m not good enough.” “Everyone is better than me.” “What’s the use in trying if I’m just going to fail?” At some point in our lives, hopefully we begin to see these highly self-critical thoughts for what they are. Perhaps they’re rooted in adverse childhood experiences, marked by trauma, abuse…

My husband and I recently took a trip out West, where we drove through and hiked various terrains. Below is a short narrative of our experience in Rocky Mountain National Park — where we caught glimpses of the many ways in which Nature speaks. A Snowy Surprise Shortly after flying in to Denver…

The following mindfulness meditation incorporates Scripture, guided imagery, and other mindfulness approaches to facilitate mind-body integration and an experience of “being known.” 1. Find a Place with Limited Distractions Find a place with limited distractions, such as a quiet room, a parked car, or empty closet — any of these will do! …

I first started really appreciating trees when I was 19, after meeting my boyfriend at the time, Joey. Some of our best memories and conversations happened while we climbed trees around our college campus. It was a great, inexpensive way to date at the time! I remember Joey getting so…